ericadawn2001

Oh no! My father in law and his wife are on that ship. I wonder how this will affect the itinerary?

Hi Chrystal! I am sooo enjoying your review. Great review so far! We took our two kids (8 year girl and 7 month old boy) on a cruise this summer. It was on Carnival but we definitely prefer Royal!! Sorry for the loss of your Dad. Your baby boy is a cutie! Can't wait to read more!

Hi Maureencruiser! What a great review! Thanks so much for sharing! Looks like you had an amazing trip! Can't wait to hear about Grandeur! Safe travels!

I'm really enjoying your review!! Can't wait for more! Looks like a great vacation!

Hi!! Thank you so much!!

 

I totally loved Jamaica everyone I encountered was beyond friendly. The beaches there are gorgeous, I plan to visit again on a land vacation.

 

VEGAS!!! My home away from home (completely love this city!) Have you ever been?

 

This is how much I love Vegas:

 

6 Months ago renewing our 10 wedding vows:

 

 

One and a half years ago celebrating our nine year anniversary:

 

 

 

And 10 years ago on our wedding day at Caesars Palace:

 

 

 

 

I have thousands, but I won't bore everyone on a non-cruise related topic but since you mentioned Vegas I couldn't resist.

 

So quickly: my favorite hotel is "THE Encore at The Wynn" I also love the Venetian. Shows, my recommendation is "Le Reve" at the Wynn or "O" at the Bellagio. I've seen mostly all of them Mystere, Ka, Love, O, Le Reve, Siegfried and Roy, Mama Mia, etc. I could be here all day. Food - So many choices all great too!!

 

I would do my research on tripadvisor or Cheapo vegas - Cheapo Vegas gives funny reviews and honest descriptions of everything vegas. Tripadvisor gives you customer reviews on everything from hotels, to shows, to transportation, activities, nightlife and restaurants. There is also an APP i own I think it's called ivegas (can't recall). Or you can email me I can give you more suggestions, vegasgirl425 at gmail dot com.

 

 

 

What beautiful pictures!! Congratulations on the wedding and renewal! The camera loves you both! :)

 

This will be DH's 1st time and my second. I really didn't do too much sightseeing when I visited so I am really doing my research for this trip!

 

Thanks so much for the recommendations!! I'm going to download that app now!

 

You have been a great help!

When we reached the bottom of the stairway, we stumbled across this beyond beautiful beach....

 

I could of stayed here all day

 

 

 

 

 

 

My husband took this photo, it would have been a much nicer picture if he wouldn't have cut off the top.

 

Hi VegasChic!

Thanks so much for your wonderful review. You take amazing pictures!! I am really enjoying reading your review! It's like talking to a girlfriend who just returned from a fabulous vacation! You have a beautiful family!!

 

I'm so glad you posted so many great pictures of Jamaica. So many people here on CC have a poor opinion so it's great to get another perspective. The beaches are gorgeous!!

 

My husband and I are planning a week long trip to Vegas. Do you have a blog or could you recommend a website similar to CC? I am a plan-a-holic and we don't want to miss a thing!!

 

Thanks again for sharing!!

1. I'm in MD but I'm originally from Greensboro, NC..hey homie!

2. subscribed!

3. You have made my night! Love your review! you are hilarious!!!

4. Someone give this man a show on Travel Channel!!

 

Still LMAO!!!!!

DSCN1203 by Virtopia, on Flickr

 

DSCN1210 by Virtopia, on Flickr

 

Next, we went onto the sulphur springs and the volcano, followed by the waterfalls, which were absolutely beautiful. I wanted to go in and take a picture, but I didn't have the appropriate attire unfortunately. The lush greenery of St Lucia is absolutely breathtaking - it's really hard to describe. The Pitons are also an amazing sight.

 

DSCN1216 by Virtopia, on Flickr

 

DSCN1221 by Virtopia, on Flickr

 

DSCN1223 by Virtopia, on Flickr

 

DSCN1227 by Virtopia, on Flickr

 

I will be back with the rest of St Lucia tomorrow and the last stop, Barbados! Thanks again for all the kind words.

 

Thanks so much for sharing with us! I'm really enjoying your review!! Great itinerary and great ship!!

You all know I'm crazy about my dresses! Ladies, all of my dresses from dinner this week are from Express!

 

 

After dinner I went to the welcome aboard show. Butch was our cruise director and he's a very funny man! He’s a natural comedian and really knows how to interact with the passengers so everyone has a smile on their face. The production show cast gave a sneak preview of their Divas Show that would be later in the week. Eh, I don’t know about them, but more on that later.

 

After the show, I headed to the Liquid Nightclub for the electric white night. If you’re wearing white you get $1 off your drinks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the club so packed on the first night! I hung out for a bit and left for a few minutes to go get a glass of wine from my room. Something told me NOT to do that. Red wine + white dress = disaster waiting to happen. :eek: Sure enough, I did have a little spill, about the size of a quarter. I got it out as best as I could, but it’s red wine in a white dress. Not too much I could do but wait until morning and have it sent to laundry.

The production playlist cast made a special appearance. They had a little dance battle and mingled with the crowd for a few minutes before leaving.

 

 

 

The DJ was just ok. He was kind of all over the place with his music. Also lots of people were commenting on how he played songs til the end, something that’s not really done at clubs. I ordered a blue drink called the DJ. I don’t know which was more disgusting- Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs or this drink. The jury is still out on that one. I talked to lots of people, including Holly and April from the Facebook group and a couple of island guys that were so proud to be the only people from Anguilla on the ship.

 

Later a nice, tall, really good looking man asked me to dance. We made our introductions (I’ll call him “G”) and danced together the rest of the night. We left around 2 am, when the music got really, really bad (rap, rap, and more ratchet rap). G and I and his brother headed up to Pizza Pirate and hung out a while. Hmmm, could G be that decent guy I just said I hope I meet some day? I wonder what the rest of the week will have in store. Stay tuned. :)

 

Waiting for me when I eventually made it back to my cabin.

 

 

Up next: A tour of the Breeze.

 

You look amazing! This review is better than the Young and the Restless!! I can't wait to read more!! Thanks for sharing with us!!!

Subscribed, subscribed; subscribed. subcribed!!!!!

Day 4: Fun Day at Sea

 

We were determined to squeeze in a much as we could as the end of our little vacation was near. :(

We headed down to breakfast in the MDR.

 

Then a little relaxation by the pool.

 

Then lunch in the MDR.

Antipasto

Neptune salad

Crab cake

 

 

A few pics from dinner:

 

Drinks in the Aegean Bar

 

And a show..

 

 

We had to turn off all recording devices and cameras when the show began.

The kids seemed to be entertained by the show. It reminded me of a show put on by talented high school singers and dancers.

Hi Erica - Thanks for the review, we are sailing this trip next week 8 /29. Can you please post a picture of the first day Fun Times. Want to know if there was a Latin Band on board (Salsa). Thank you. Freddie

 

 

SO sorry..i've scoured our cruise stuff but cant find any of the fun times..I think my hubby accidentally threw them away. :(

The park closed at 5 or 5:30 so we picked up a few souvenirs and headed back to the ship.

 

We washed up and headed to dinner. It was great!!

 

Jerk pork loin

 

Shrimp cocktail

 

Our daughter ordered the pasta of the day..chicken fettuccine with a mushroom sauce:

 

I also ordered the turkey and stuffing:

 

And my friend had the chile relleno

 

Apple pie a la mode:

 

And a cheese plate..sheesh we ate way too much!!

 

After dinner, we returned to our room to find this guy:

Here are a few pics..

 

Carnival Paradise was docked next to us.

 

At the sea lion show:

Day 3: Cozumel

 

We arrived at Cozumel a little before 1 pm. The water was beautiful! We docked at Puerto Maya. Since we were vacationing with kids, we decided to spend the day at Chankanaab. We had a large group of about 18 so we took 2 vans. Each van was $22 each way. They took us directly to Chankanaab and picked us up as well. The entrance fee was $53 for me, my hubby and our 8 year old daughter. The baby was free. Dont forget to print the coupon on their website!

 

This is a pretty nice park. It's great for kids. There is a small beach area, snorkeling and dolphin activities. There was also a sea lion show. The kids had a great time.

 

We also visited the crocodile habitat and the ruins.

 

I would definitely go back again with the kids. If we visit Cozumel without them, I'd look for a more "adult" resort.

 

If you have any questions, please let me know!! :)

 

Pics coming momentarily...

Sorry, one more question. Did the cabin have the old hair dryers mounted to the wall in the bathroom, or the ones in the drawer in the cabin?

 

The dryers were mounted to the wall.

Where did the ship dock in Key West? We are doing this cruise as part of a B2B and have had issues with the cabin temps being too warm on our last several cruises. How was the cabin temps, was it a balcony room, what floor? Thanks in advance.

 

The room was quite chilly. We actually left the balcony door open to warm up the room a few times.

Where did the ship dock in Key West? We are doing this cruise as part of a B2B and have had issues with the cabin temps being too warm on our last several cruises. How was the cabin temps, was it a balcony room, what floor? Thanks in advance.

 

Not sure of the name of the place where it docked but I'll show you a picture from our balcony. We were in cabin 6419. Hope this helps.

Here's our towel animal! I just love these guys!!

 

When we returned from dinner, we noticed the sewer smell again. And...The toilet wouldn't flush. About 45 minutes later, we heard it flush on its own. Problem fixed I guess??

 

The sewer smell was also present on the Lido deck near the pool. It wasn't overwhelming but it was quite noticeable.

 

We were still having a great time and the kids were so excited!

 

No time to complain, we were on our way to Cozumel!!

We will be on this cruise in April and getting married while in Cozumel. Really looking forward to your review!

 

Congrats on your wedding!! Cozumel is beautiful!!!

We finished the tour and headed back to the ship. We took the kids to the pool and walked around before dinner.

 

All the sightseeing must have been too much for the baby!

 

It was also cruise elegant night so we dressed appropriately for dinner, as did most people.

Yummy lobster!

Here are a few more shots of Key West:

 

While on the tour, we saw a New Orleans style wedding march. It was so cool. Hope this video works!

 

Higgs Beach looked really pretty. Hope to visit during our next trip.

Thanks for the review with your pictures!! We're sailing out of Miami on the Victory for the first time in February.

 

My hubby and I were supposed to be on this cruise, but we had to cancel. Patiently waiting for the rest of your review...:D

 

So sorry you had to cancel! Hope you can cruise again soon!

 

More coming! :cool:

Thanks for the review with your pictures!! We're sailing out of Miami on the Victory for the first time in February.

 

 

Have a great cruise!! Stay away from the breakfast buffet! :o There is so much fun to be had!!

Day 2-Key West

 

We made the HUGE mistake of having breakfast on the Lido deck. The lines were super long and the food was..in a word...DISGUSTING. I thought I put eggs on my plate but it turned out to be powdery mush. I was done. From then on. we ONLY ate in the MDR unless we had late night pizza or burgers.

 

We left the ship and decided to take the City View Trolley tour. It was awesome! We previously visted Key West during our last cruise but the tour showed us so much more!! The tour operator was wonderful. I think there were 8 or 9 stops but we stayed on the entire time. We learned so much about Key West. I believe we paid $21 for each adult and the kids were free. I definitely recommend this tour!

 

For those of you traveling with young kids, Carnival offer stroller rentals for $8 a day which will be charged to your sign and sail. This was a life saver!!

 

If you have any questions about the ship or anything, please ask away!!

 

I'll attach a few pictures momentarily.